Category: April – May 2015
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The “Sandwich Generation” in Hawai’i
The term “sandwich generation”has come to describe boomers — who find themselves supporting adult children and elderly parents at the same time. Possibly more visible in Hawai‘i, as costs of living rise, millennials are challenged to emerge into adulthood with financial independence. At the same time, our parents are living longer, and as they age…
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Hiking for Health, or Just For Pure Joy
Hiking is a great activity for seniors! I’m 72 and really enjoy it. Several of my fellow hikers are in their upper 70’s and are still going strong. One, at 83, still hikes five miles on the beach several times a week. Some people hike mainly for exercise and walk vigorously hoping to work up…
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Escape the Ordinary This Summer
Ahhh, summer is almost here! We all look forward to summer for time to relax, recharge, explore, spend more time with family and friends, or perhaps carve out more quality time to ourselves to do what we enjoy the most. Join the Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS) this summer to do all of those…
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Four Myths About Kidney Disease
What do you know about kidney disease? Are you sure that what you heard is correct? Here are 4 common errors: Myth 1: Kidney disease is rare One in seven adults in Hawai‘i has kidney disease and one in two are at risk for the disease. High blood pressure, diabetes, a family history of kidney…
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The Magic of “Stardust”
Alex Haley, author of “Roots: The Saga of an American Family” once wrote: “Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children.” In Hawai‘i, kupuna play an active role in the family and raising our next generation. Schools are tapping into this senior resource…
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Brothers & Sisters in Community Service
Beta Beta Gamma (BBG) is the only Greek sorority left at University of Hawai‘i. In the ‘50s and ‘60s, students from small rural high schools could find fellowship, mentors and community at big universities by joining a sorority or fraternity. Today, BBG still brings like-minded women together for important service work. In celebration of the…
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Mahalo Volunteers!
Webster says that “Volunteerism” is the act or practice of doing volunteer work in community service. Here in Hawai‘i, many seniors volunteer their services to our community every day — in a multitude of capacities. One such volunteer is Nancy Shimamoto, who spends every Tuesday from 8 am to noon on the “front-line” at Kuakini…
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Constipation in Seniors
Constipation affects approximately 2 percent of the population in the US; the elderly are more commonly affected. Constipation refers to bowel movements that are infrequent or hard to pass. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), constipation is defined as having a bowel movement less than 3 times a week. Laxatives can help relieve…
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